Purpose: The strive to increase the distance
of one's shot has been a time honored tradition in golf ever since the
beginnings of the sport at St. Andrews. Time has shown the various golf
swings, the improved golf clubs, and the technologically advanced golf
balls. This bi-week, Scientific AmeriKen will attempt to increase the average
distance of a particular golf ball by making basic changes to it's form.

Hypothesis: The Hypothesis of this experiment
is that one of three alterations to a golf ball will result in improved
distance. The three methods include increased mass, change in outside aerodynamics,
and the third is by adding increased propellants. Though the modern day
golf ball is a technological marvel in itself, Scientific AmeriKen hypothesizes
that by making these "illegal" alterations, it will give the golf ball
the necessary elements to break distance records.

Equipment: For this experiment, the following
is required: 3 golf balls, a driver, a large open area to perform the experiment,
tape (used was scotch tape), a bottle rocket, and tools to alter the shape
of the cover of the golf ball, either chisel cork screw, or other perforating
device (used for this experiment was a dog).

Observations: Weather for day of the experiment
was clear, with breeze in the direction of the golf shots at about 8 m.p.h.
and temperature was about 78 degrees.

Type of Golf Ball

Alterations

Ave. Distance Before

Ave. Distance After

Wilson Tc

Bottle Rocket added to exterior

265.5

184.0

Topflight xL

Scotch Tape added to outside to increase weight

255.0

143.0

Titlist Tour Balata

Cover was torn and indented by Dog

275.0

134.0

Conclusion: Unfortunately, the hypothesis
was proven wrong, and the alterations performed on the golf balls did very
little to increase performance. However, the failure of these 'improvements'
to the golf ball says very little about other alterations that may one
day be found. Until then, the search for other methods to improve the golf
ball continues.